Title: ELCA Congregations Gain Training on Immigration
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

November 22, 1999

ELCA CONGREGATIONS GAIN TRAINING ON IMMIGRATION
99-297-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Four congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (ELCA) gain training to respond to the legal
immigration needs in their communities.  Members of La Sagrada Familia
Lutheran Church, Chicago; Chinese Life Lutheran Church, Alhambra,
Calif.; Grace Lutheran Church, Washington, D.C.; and San Miguel Lutheran
Church, Fort Worth, Texas, gathered here Nov. 11-12 for a training
session.
     The purpose of the training is to provide congregations with
information needed to determine mission, program design, type of
services, structure, staffing needs, financial systems and outreach
strategies for immigration legal service programs in their churches,
said the Rev. Ruben F. Duran, executive for congregational outreach
services, ELCA Division for Outreach.
     "The Lutheran Church has always been and continues to be an
immigrant church," he said. "What we are attempting to do is equip
congregations to serve as entry points so that new immigrants can become
more active and productive members of church and society.  In many ways
the future of the church is directly connected to the well-being, energy
and gifted contributions of people coming to this soil."
     The training was provided by Lutheran Immigration and Refugee
Service, a ministry of the ELCA, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and
Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  It included a
discussion on the U.S. immigration system and the role of the U.S.
Department of Justice, U.S. Department of State, the Executive Office
for Immigration Review and the Board of Immigration Appeals.
     After completing the course, participants will know more about the
U.S. immigration system and immigration law, and understand major
elements of immigration service program management which are important
to ensure ongoing, viable programs, Duran said.  "Participants will be
prepared to develop realistic action steps leading to the launch of an
immigration service center, or critically to assess existing operations
for new opportunities."
     Duran said the need for assistance with immigration issues is
being felt by people from many nations, especially from Latin America,
Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
     "A growing number of Lutheran congregations are beginning to
respond by providing immigration services," he said.
     "Through service in their communities, congregations are enhancing
their opportunities for witnessing to Jesus Christ and are experiencing
growth," Duran said.  "These congregations have requested training,
technical support and financial assistance to respond effectively to the
immigration needs in their community."
     The training was part of the ELCA's Congregation-Based Immigration
Services Pilot Project.
     "The objectives of the project include providing technical
assistance to congregation leaders, enabling them to support
congregation-based immigration service centers as part of their outreach
ministry," said Duran.  Other objectives include building a network of
ELCA and ecumenical partner congregations involved in immigration
services for the purposes of mutual support, resources and referrals, he
said.
     La Sagrada Familia Lutheran Church, Chinese Life Lutheran Church,
Grace Lutheran Church and San Miguel Lutheran Church will provide
services for a diverse number of visa processing needs, citizenship,
court appeals and advocacy for about 4,000 to 6,000 individuals a year
once the centers are up and running, said Duran.
     People living in legal status will have access to rights and
privileges and become more productive and integral members of society,
said Duran.  Other results of congregation-based immigration centers
include improved connections within ELCA-related congregations and
institutions, he said.
     The 1997 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Philadelphia called for a
"Message on Immigration."  The message was approved by the board of the
ELCA Division for Church in Society and was adopted by the ELCA Church
Council on Nov. 16, 1998.  The message serves as a resource for
deliberation on attitudes regarding immigrants and a resource to
interpret and apply ELCA policy related to immigration.

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